3 Gopalganj youths allegedly sold to Russian army

A trafficking network in Gopalganj has allegedly lured three youths to Russia with promises of high-paying jobs before selling them to the Russian military and sending them to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to victims’ families.

Family members claim at least 30 Bangladeshi youths were recently taken to Russia under false job offers and later handed over to the Russian army after being sold for large sums of money. 

The victims from Gopalganj have been identified as Palash Sheikh of Ghosherchar Uttarpara village, Rony Fakir of Sitarkul village and Sourav Mollah of Balakoir village under Gopalganj Sadar upazila.

According to family members, the youths were promised well-paid jobs abroad and taken to Russia through an agency and local brokers. Once there, they were allegedly forced to sign one-year military contracts and informed they would be deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Palash Sheikh travelled to Russia on May 7 after paying around Tk 700,000 to brokers in hopes of securing employment abroad. 
However, after arriving in Russia, he was reportedly handed over to the Russian military and forced into military training. His family later learned that the agency and brokers had allegedly sold him to the Russian army for around Tk 3.5 million.

Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Koushik Ahmed said efforts would be made to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the return of the victims.

Superintendent of Police Md Habibullah said legal action would be taken against local brokers if formal complaints are filed.

MHM/TZ